Float device



E. O. KUNKEL May 1, 1962 FLOAT DEVICE Filed June 23, 1960 O'y y E lzy 0. Kunke/ INVENTOR.

I BY flaws; 3m

and

United States PatentlOflice.

3,031,695 Patented May 1, 1962 3,031,695 FLOAT DEVICE Elzy 0. Kunkel, PI). Box 83, Liberal, Kans., assignor of four-fifths to Irene C. Ellick,-Covington, Ky. Filed June 23, 1960, Ser. No. 38,169 3 Claims. (Cl. 9-410) The present invention generally relates to a float device and more particularly to a ski device which may be considered a water ski or the like and is capable of use as a water ski or a snow ski and incorporates'an inflatable inner tube removable from the ski so that it may be repaired, replaced or used as a float device in itself such as by attaching it around the waist or shoulder region of a person using the inflated inner tube for use as a life belt.

The primary object of the present invention is to provide a float device in the form of a pair of skis which will enable the wearer to float on water, be towed over the surface of the water at a relatively high rate of speed and also to ski down the slope of a hill in a conventional manner. Each ski is shaped somewhat in the nature of a water ski with the ski having an interior hollow area open at one end for the insertion and removal of an inflatable inner tube.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a float device generally in the form of water skates or the like which is simple in construction, easy to use, use ful in various orientations and uses and generally inexpensive to manufacture.

These together with other objects and advantages which will become subsequently apparent reside in the details of construction and operation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being bad to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout, and in which:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of one of the float devices of the present invention;

FIGURE 2 is a longitudinal, vertical sectional view taken substantially upon a plane passing along section line 22 of FIGURE 1 illustrating the details of construction of the float device;

FIGURE 3 is a transverse, vertical sectional view taken substantially upon a plane passing along section line 3--3 of FIGURE 1 illustrating the relationship of the shell of the ski and the inflated inner tube; and

FIGURE 4 is a perspective view of the inflatable inner tube.

Referring now specifically to the drawings, the numeral It) generally designates the float device of the present invention with the float devices being provided in pairs. Inasmuch as the float devices are of a similar structure, only one float device is disclosed.

The float device is in the form of an elongated ski or skate 12 having an upturned forward end 14. As illustrated, the elongated ski or skate 12 is provided with a top wall 16, a bottom wall 18, and side walls 20 interconnecting the top and bottom walls. This structure may be of molded plastic construction or the like or any other suitable material. Disposed interiorly of the elongated ski or skate 12 is an inflatable inner tube 22 constructed of rubber or similar material and having a valve assembly 24 at one end thereof which is in the form of an air valve which enables the inflatable inner tube 22 to be inflated or deflated for use in the desired manner. By deflating the inner tube 22, it may be removed from the elongated ski or skate 12. After the inner tube 22 has been placed in position in the ski or skate 12, the valve 24 may be employed for admitting pressurized air into the interior of the inflatable inner tube thereby inflating the tube to conform to the contours of the interior surface of the ski or skate 12.

For retaining the inflatable inner tube 22 within the hollow interior of the elongated ski, there is provided a lacing 26 extending across the open end of the ski to retain the inflated tube therein and with the air valve 24 extending therethrough for access.

On the upper surface of the top wall 16, there is provided a ski binding generally designated by the numeral 28 and including a stationary inverted U-shaped flexible member 30 tapering inwardly towards the upwardly curved front 14. An adjustable heel engaging member 32 is provided and adjustably mounted on the top wall 16 by virtue of longitudinal trackways or guides 34 slidably receiving a mounting plate 36 carrying the heel socket 32 thereon. The plate 36 is provided with a slot 38 receiving a fastening bolt 40 having a knurled clamp screw 42 thereon whereby the position of the heel socket or pocket 32 may be varied for retaining the skis or skates on the feet of the wearer.

In instances where only small children or light weight people will use the skies or skates, the inflated tube may be omitted but the hollow elongated member will be closed and the interior thereof filled with air under a relatively small pressure which will enable small children to be supported. Generally, the hollow elongated member may be considered a hull and may be six or seven inches wide, five or six feet in length and from one to two inches thick depending upon the particular requirements of the material from which the skis are constructed. Also the hollow skates may be constructed of any suitable metallic material, plastic material or the like. When the floats are not being employed, the device may be used as a life belt with the inflated inner tube being disposed in encircling relation to the waist of the user or with the shoulders of the user with suitable straps: being attached to the inflatable inner tube for purposes of holding the inner tube in position. Also, the hollow elongated members may be used in the form of conventional skis for skiing over a snow surface or for skiing over a water surface. Also, if desired auxiliary cork could be used in the shoulder area when the float device is employed and could also be used to fill the hollow members.

The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be restorted to, falling within the scope of the invention as claimed.

What is claimed as new is as follows:

1. A ski device comprising an elongated hollow rigid member having an upwardly curved and closed forward end, the rear end of said member being open, said member being substantially rectangular in cross-sectional configuration with the wider sides thereof being disposed horizontal, the interior volume of the member being unobstructed, an elongated inflatable flexible member disposed within said hollow member and completely filling the interior thereof when inflated, said inflatable member having a centrally disposed axially extending air valve means thereon extending rearwardly from the open end of the elongated hollow member, crisscrossed lacing extending across the open rear end of the elongated member, said elongated member having top and bottom walls disposed in parallel relation, the rear edges of the top and bottom walls having openings through which the lacing extends for detachably securing the inflatable member within the elongated hollow member, and a shoe binding on the upper surface of the top wall member for receiving the foot of a person using the device.

3 2 The structure as defined in claim 1 wherein said binding includes a stationary inverted U-shaped toe receiving member, and a longitudinally slidably mounted heel socket for engagement with the heel.

3. The structure as defined in claim 2 wherein said 5 inflatable member isprovided with a rectangular crosssectional configuration when inflated for completely filling the interior oi the elongated hollow member to prevent entrance of water therein.

4 References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED. STATES PATENTS.

2,018,548 Currey v Oct. 22, 1935 2,389,729 Howland Nov. 27, 1945 2,740,972 Taylor Apr. 10, 1956 FOREIGN PATENTS 365,229 Italy Nov. 26, 1938 

